The UFC is a hub for elite Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). As such, fighters from various disciplines come to test their mettle. But some fighters are in for a different reason. Take Alex Pereira. He joined the UFC, tailing the former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. But now the tables have turned. It is Pereira who might see his toughest opponent in the Octagon now.
Former Glory Kickboxing champion Artem Vakhitov is set to make waves and is eyeing a UFC contract. The formidable kickboxer has joined Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) for this October and is now confirmed to fight Islem Masraf.
This news has set the MMA world ablaze with speculation and excitement. For those unfamiliar, Vakhitov is no ordinary fighter. He’s the last man to hand Alex Pereira a loss in kickboxing. Their rivalry is the stuff of legends in the kickboxing world. Two fights, two razor-close decisions, and a whole lot of fireworks.
Now, Vakhitov is looking to transpose that success to the octagon. But the path to UFC glory is paved with challenges. The DWCS is notorious for its high-pressure environment. One fight can make or break a fighter’s UFC dreams. However, the Russian fighter is no stranger to pressure situations. After all, he has been in the ring with Alex Pereira.
Artem Vakhitov Looks Forward To A Trilogy Bout With Alex Pereira
Some rivalries in combat sports never truly die. They evolve. Such is the case with Vakhitov and Pereira. Their kickboxing battles are the stuff of legend. Now, the Russian fighter is ready to write a new chapter. He’s eyeing a showdown with Pereira in the octagon.
Vakhitov talked to MMA Fighting regarding his potential showdown with Alex Pereira. He believes he has Pereira‘s number. After all, he’s the last man to defeat “Poatan” in kickboxing.“His biggest weakness is that he is all attack, he has no defense. Because of his lack of defense, he is open to taking a lot of punches to the head if he’s facing a skilled striker. You saw that in his second fight with Adesanya. He got caught because he leaves a lot of openings for people who know what they are doing.” stated Vakhitov.
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The Russian fighter believes many of Pereira’s opponents are intimidated before the fight starts. But not him. He’s not afraid to poke the bear. But Vakhitov’s journey to face the Brazilian fighter in the UFC is far from guaranteed. He’s still building his MMA career.
Meanwhile, Alex Pereira is riding high after defending his title at UFC 303. He’s got a long line of contenders waiting. Still, the prospect of this trilogy fight in MMA is tantalizing. It’s a storyline that writes itself.
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